tarry this messenger any longer at this time I thought but folly, for that I shall be ready sooner at night if it please her Highness to understand what answer she will make to my suit; or if it will not be known this night, as I doubt, for her Grace is as it were ever defatigate with her late business in dispatching the King of Bohemia’s ambassadors, I shall know as soon as I may what her Grace’s determination shall be; and that known, I shall with all expedition intimate the same unto you, that so the poor man may be certified of her Grace’s pleasure.  And in the meantime I shall most heartily beseech your Mastership to continue your favour towards the man; and divers of those that be most nigh unto her Grace’s person desire the same at your hands, and saith plainly that the Queen’s Grace will not be discontent that he may have all the commodity that may be showed him for the recovery of his health within the Tower.  I pray God show His will mercifully upon him, and I trust the Queen’s goodness shall be extended withal unto him to his great comfort, as knoweth Almighty Jesus, who send you with much worship long to live and well to live in both soul and body.  Scribbled in haste with the running hand of yours to command, Francis Malet, Priest.”

The above letter is undated, but the sequel to the story is related by the Lieutenant himself in the minutes of a letter to the Council.

“Please it your Grace and my Lords to be advertised that this present Sunday, the 6th September, Edward Lewkner, prisoner, attainted by long sickness, departed this transitory life to God, about the hour of eight of the clock of the night.  Who was a willing man in the forenoon of this day to have received the blessed Sacrament, but the priest that did serve in the absence of the . . . * did think him so well that it was meet to be ministered to him but after he had heard his confession.  He did minister unto him the Sacrament of Oiling, or Extreme Unction, at the which I was present.  Tomorrow I intend by God’s grace to see him buried in form appertaining to his condition in life, as I have learned of those that have seen the like order.  Instead of a will he charged me with his service to the Queen’s Majesty, that it might please her Highness, after forgiveness of his offences towards the same, to vouchsafe to have pity of his wife and ten poor children, which I promised to do upon my next waiting upon her Majesty, humbly beseeching your Lordships all in time most meet to be good lords to the same his petition.  And so as your poor beadsman I take my leave of you.

“From the Queen’s Majesty’s Tower of London 1556, the night aforesaid, about 11 of the clock.

“Henry Bedyngfeld.”

* Illegible in the manuscript.